Biden the wrong kind of patriot
It is interesting that Democrat vice presidential candidate Joseph Biden says that paying more taxes is the patriotic thing for Americans. He further goes on, “It’s time to be patriotic, time to jump in, time to be part of the deal, time to get America out of the rut.” Well, maybe it is, but one questions if Sen. Biden is the one to be lecturing us about patriotism after obtaining six deferments from serving his country in the military during Vietnam to go to law school. All perfectly legal, but not very patriotic.
Biden said recently, “We want to take money and put it back in the pocket of middle-class people.” That’s redistribution of wealth, or socialism at its best. Republican presidential candidate John McCain says the Obama/Biden campaign and its liberal congressional allies want billions in spending increases, saying, “we would pay - painful income taxes, skyrocketing taxes on life savings” along with everything else and asks, “Can your family afford that?”
Tom Ryan, Polson
Vote for security, vote for I-155
The upcoming November election is tantalizing to all Americans, as the change and growth are givens. Presidential nominee Obama dreams of universal health care, which would allow Americans to a gain a sense of peace knowing their nation cares for their health and well-being.
While the dream of universal health care is one that must become a reality, the legislative process to obtain this freedom and peace will take much time to be fully established. That is why it is important to look toward state initiatives, which can be passed immediately. One such state initiative up for vote this November is I-155. The initiative would help expand children’s health insurance through the CHIP Program. It would allow 30,000 more Montana children to be eligible for health insurance, and in a state with less than
1 million people, it would be an amazing feat.
Montana was a frontier state, a place where Americans flocked to in hopes of a better life. Why not continue our state legacy and enlighten our nation to the belief that the health and well-being of its citizens matters? Why not make sure that all the little rascals in Montana are cared for?
When you enter the polls on election day, consider what security means to you. Are you a citizen with the fear of medical bills looming in your mind - weighing the cost of a procedure to that of your health? It is sad that a decision like this must exist in America the land of freedom and opportunity. As terrifying as weighing your own medical cost, how could your choose for your child, any child?
Let us put Montana parents’ minds at ease and be a frontier state once again, but this time toward the dream of universal health care. Vote for 1-155.
Julie Little, Missoula
Smear campaign does nothing for voters
When I was a child, my grandma used to make me frankfurters and mashed potatoes if I was upset or not feeling good. She also had some great insight into how best to deal with others when they treated you poorly: forgive people and move on. This simple act of generosity toward others is something that politicians could greatly benefit from.
Folks across our great nation have started to vote. It is an honor to participate in our civic duty to select our leaders and to move us forward. While our system may not always be perfect, it is great compared to other areas of the world, thanks in much part again to our grandparents who fought for our right to be free.
In Montana we are lucky; we live in the greatest place on earth, our economy is stronger that most in the nation, our fiscal budget is in order with enormous surpluses and we are blessed to still have wild and open public lands surrounding our valley. These lands offer us solace, tranquility and peace in turbulent times. We Montanans are a self-reliant bunch and make it through tough times with the help of our families, our neighbors and our faith.
I must admit that I was a bit ticked by the recent mailings from opponents smearing our work, my family and my character. These folks attempt to distract us with insults rather than talking about what is important to small business, retirees and working families. Our job should be to help make people’s lives better and easier in turbulent and uncertain times.
To the folks who try to smear my character or say bad things about me, I’ll take my grandma’s sage advice: I forgive you. But please stop, as it’s simply not true or nice.
Rep. Mike Jopek, House District 4, Whitefish
Archives, evidence need your support
In the article about the emergency operations center funding (Missoulian, Oct. 9), nobody addressed the issue of the adjacent warehouse for storage of materials and equipment relating to law enforcement. Apparently, there is going to be a climate-controlled archive for records that are now stored in a leaky old building, room for evidence storage - including vehicles, motor homes and such - and search and rescue equipment.
All of us voters need to know what we are getting for our money. Communications are very important, but so is the rest of this.
Elaine M. Corrigan, Missoula
Years of GOP leadership left us broke
According to a recent letter, we need to elect McCain because liberals spend, spend, spend, and the country is already in debt trillions of dollars.
Who do you think has been in charge of the country for the last eight years? We could even say the last 16 years, since Clinton never had a majority in Congress, but was still able to accomplish a great deal and leave the country with a surplus. Maybe the writer needs to do some research. Could it be that our huge debt could be the result of an unjust war, (which Obama spoke out against from the beginning) and Bush’s tax cuts for the rich?
As for Palin, I’m sorry if when we point out some of her shortcomings you think we hate her. We don’t hate her! It’s just that we can’t understand why she would lie repeatedly and say she vigorously opposes earmarks when it is common knowledge that she was very much in favor of the “bridge to nowhere” until it became an embarrassment to her! Even then she kept the money. And there is no way I can bring myself to believe that she is well-versed in foreign affairs because Alaska is close to Russia and borders on Canada.
We know Obama doesn’t have all the answers but he is capable and willing to learn. He has compassion for the middle class and the poor, and he will fight to preserve Social Security and Medicare for my husband and me and future generations. Republicans have been pushing to privatize Social Security for years, which would destroy it. This is my husband’s and my main source of income. Bush (oops - I mean McCain!) will continue to fight for privatization while Obama will fight to preserve Social Security.
B. Campbell, Missoula
Election season reveals many hypocrites
After reading Ellen Goodman’s column (Sept. 22) and the same day Pamela Johnson’s letter, and many other intellectual insertions about the invalidity of Sarah Palin as viewed by the feminist neighborhood, I feel a need to speak.
I was born in 1964, and have observed the battle women have fought to gain their equality, most times in agreement that oppression was actually evident. I don’t personally agree with oppression, don’t know anyone who does. Human is human. But forget me - it appears that the very people who have been screaming “oppression” are oppressing, and the very people who are screaming “racism” are racist, and the very people who cry about religion being forced down their throat are shoving the hardest.
This next comment is metaphoric (not literal): If you don’t live it, don’t preach it. Oh, that is literal!
I do believe that Condoleezza Rice is the one who blazed the trail for Palin, not Hillary Clinton. Remember our Secretary of State? Or is she not a woman either? It seems to me that “feminist” means no more than abortion rights.
Randi Stewart, Missoula
Politics aside, Palin deserves admiration
I join with the tens of thousands of people that are impressed with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Regardless of political affiliation, one must admire her as a person, and as a woman.
She is attractive, articulate, athletic, intelligent, smart, a mother with a loving husband and family, and has many worthy accomplishments to her credit thus far in her young life.
I have noticed that her female detractors, from the local level to the national scene, are lacking in many of her wonderful qualities. I assume it is jealousy and envy, and really has nothing to do with Palin’s political beliefs. Their disparaging remarks are unbecoming to them as women and they need to look into their mirrors, and into their hearts, and take an in-depth look at themselves.
However, I must admit, guys being guys, her popularity with the male gender might not be as high if her physical qualities were such as those of women Democrats Madeleine Albright, Janet Reno or Helen Thomas.
David S. Hurtt, Florence
Walking groups should not be restricted
About the size of group restrictions in the Rattlesnake (Missoulian, Sept. 27):
It makes sense to restrict numbers in the Rattlesnake for bicycles that can go much faster than walkers. It makes sense to restrict numbers for horseback riders whose heavy weight can severely impact trails, especially when they are wet.
The main trail up the Rattlesnake was originally a road. It is wide enough to have a parade going down it if people are on foot, with almost no impact except the extra sound they can create. There are wildflower groups, birdwatching groups, casual hiking and walking groups, and even bona-fide classes for picture taking, animal identification and the like that use this area in a way that makes no harmful impact and also may increase support for the area.
I think the Forest Service should make a provision to allow that to continue without a threat of fine.
Glen Bumgardner, Missoula
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